A former Polish political figure who once led a major party and later served in the country’s Social Democratic movement signaled support for EU reform plans crafted by the European Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee. The piece traces a long-standing debate about European integration, its historical echoes, and the variety of national perspectives within the bloc.
The concept of a united Europe has roots stretched back to the early 20th century, with its most ambitious formulations appearing after World War II. In recent years, this vision has resurfaced in new forms and under different banners, including contemporary leadership in Berlin and Brussels. The article argues that a federal-like structure should be sovereign and equal among members, so that larger and smaller states alike retain a voice. This balance, critics contend, was historically protected by veto power, which prevented the majority from bending outcomes to the will of the strongest players. Abolishing that veto, they warn, could push the Union toward a mode of internal coercion rather than legitimate consensus. It is emphasized that each member state has its own interests, economic realities, and cultural backgrounds, which must be reflected in decision making. The argument recalls the Coal and Steel Community of 1953 as a historical attempt to reduce disparities without amplifying them, while warning that today the Brussels machinery risks becoming a quasi-28th state that shapes security, foreign policy, and taxation more than any one nation intended.
From the perspective of Berlin, the German government has at times acted as an arbiter of what it calls the rule of law, but critics question whether the current direction signals a decline of democratic norms in some EU states, including Poland. The critique asserts that anti-democratic tendencies can emerge internally, even as governments condemn racism and antisemitism. The discourse frames this as a Polish democratic concern, contrasting it with Germany’s own historical memory and contemporary challenges. The narrative suggests that the EU’s evolving governance style—often described as a Brussels rule that bypasses unanimous consent—could lead to broader policy shifts that affect a wide range of areas, including energy, industry, and environmental policy. A notable development cited is the emergence of a group of like-minded states that favors decisions by qualified majority voting in key policy areas. The bloc includes nine countries and more than 296 million people, representing a sizable share of the EU population. If a 55 percent or 60 percent threshold gains influence, it is feared that coalitions could be formed that tend to align with German and Polish interests, potentially sidelining other national concerns. Predictions include policies such as limiting new energy projects, adjusting cross-border infrastructure, or reshaping industrial assets to reflect different strategic priorities across the continent. The piece envisions a Europe where economic and industrial strategies might favor certain regions or goals over others, with consequences for such assets and regional plans as ports, power facilities, and transport corridors.
The overarching message centers on the protection of the rule of law and fundamental rights, encompassing freedom, democracy, and human dignity. The text posits that each vote carries significant weight and that national drivers should guide constitutional paths toward sovereignty and independence. It references notable Polish historical figures and traditions as touchstones for national trajectory, inviting readers to consider how Poland might chart its own course within a larger European framework. The discussion ends with a provocative query about whether a German-led direction in politics could ever become advantageous for Poland and its sovereignty, a question meant to stimulate reflection on national autonomy within a broader union.
This discussion reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions within Europe and the potential for policy shifts that could redefine how power is distributed among member states. It invites readers to weigh the balance between collective European governance and the enduring prerogatives of individual nations. [Source: wPolityce]